Final #s on Andersen contract is 5 years 25 mil, so 5 mil cap hit. If he turns out to not be what they thought, that will turn into an awful contract.
- Thorny

Even though Anderson is younger, since this is reasonably close to MAFs salary (who is a better goalie) at a longer term (5 years instead of the three left on MAFs contract) this tells you either:

(1) Fleury blocked a trade there (possible);
(2) Toronto and Pens could not agree on his value;
(3) Fleury does not want to move, and has waived his movement clause for the purposes of expansion. Therefore, JR did not offer him up when asked;
(4) JR already has a deal in place with someone else.

I think it's Number 3, myself.

First goalie trade happens and it's a surprise to no one. MAF was never going to Toronto
- Dcoms

why?

5) Toronto did not inquire about Flower, they targeted Anderson first ^^^^

That was no doubt the best depiction of a large scale medieval battle in the history of TV/film. Incredibly realistic with the brutality and battle tactics. Though the ending was predictable(horn sounding in the distance and suddenly reinforcements appear on the horizon), everything in between was done so incredibly well that it didn't matter. I thought Jon was going to die again on 2 occasions(the cavalry charge after getting lured in off guard and when he was getting trampled). I think this upstaged both Blackwater and Hardhome.

I actually think Sansa has a deep love in some sick twisted part of herself for Littlefinger, and that will eventually get between her and her devotion to house Stark/Jon Snow. Baelish has a master plan and i don't think it involves the Starks any longer than he needs/needed Sansa to claim Winterfell/the North.
- SimpleJack

I didn't like it but it has grown on me.

I guess you could say I wanted to see a real tactical battle. Maybe something to the "Northern Conspiracy" and "The North Remembers" with Umbers, Karstarks, or Manderly's (don't believe introduced in show) switching sides. I didn't want to see another Stark male doing stupid things in battle for honor that gets themselves killed. Or another big battle that ends with our reinforcements that we didn't even know were coming arriving just in time.

Baelish likely knows that Jon Stark isn't any way heir to Winterfell. He's indicated before he knows Jon's true parents. So only Bran has a claim to winterfell above Baelish. Though he probably assumes the kids dead. In his mind marrying Sansa should make him undisputed King of the North. No need to have any more plan than that.

Can you really have a team that is only speed? Or do you need a couple guys like Horn and to a lesser extent Kunitz. I think you can have a ton of speed, but mix in a few grittier guys.

Though I'm actually coming around to the idea of trading Hornqvist. But we still see his value even though he can't do a lot of things we want our forwards to do. He is an elite net front guy and that has added something to our lineup.
- sditulli

The Pens had enough grit to win the cup. I'll take constantly beating the other team to the puck over the traditional "gritty guy" the NHL loves so much. Trading Hornie is nuts IMO.

Didn't Ladd turn down a big offer from the Peg already? I thought it was like 6mil a year. No thanks on that.

I didn't like it but it has grown on me.

I guess you could say I wanted to see a real tactical battle. Maybe something to the "Northern Conspiracy" and "The North Remembers" with Umbers, Karstarks, or Manderly's (don't believe introduced in show) switching sides. I didn't want to see another Stark male doing stupid things in battle for honor that gets themselves killed. Or another big battle that ends with our reinforcements that we didn't even know were coming arriving just in time.

Baelish likely knows that Jon Stark isn't any way heir to Winterfell. He's indicated before he knows Jon's true parents. So only Bran has a claim to winterfell above Baelish. Though he probably assumes the kids dead. In his mind marrying Sansa should make him undisputed King of the North. No need to have any more plan than that.
- sditulli

He better start planning something for the massive and seemingly unstoppable White Walker/zombie army. It still boggles my mind how virtually EVERYONE is completely oblivious to their existence/threat to Westeros.

The Pens had enough grit to win the cup. I'll take constantly beating the other team to the puck over the traditional "gritty guy" the NHL loves so much. Trading Hornie is nuts IMO.

Didn't Ladd turn down a big offer from the Peg already? I thought it was like 6mil a year. No thanks on that.
- madmike71

Isn't that a contradiction. Hornqvist by definition doesn't bring much more than grit.

Ladd turned down 6/36. But his camp is saying he's willing to sign below mkt to win. Lets see if that is true.

5) Toronto did not inquire about Flower, they targeted Anderson first ^^^^
- Guile

I agree... No way JR would trade to a team that we would play so often.

He better start planning something for the massive and seemingly unstoppable White Walker/zombie army. It still boggles my mind how virtually EVERYONE is completely oblivious to their existence/threat to Westeros.
- SimpleJack

I don't think anyone outside the North has ever heard of a whitewalker. Stage 1 was retaking Winterfell for John so that he'd have his position to unite the North. (Are there any soldiers left in the North? Robb had 20k men. Ramsey had 6k Men (most dead now) John had wildings (most dead too)).

Isn't that a contradiction. Hornqvist by definition doesn't bring much more than grit.

Ladd turned down 6/36. But his camp is saying he's willing to sign below mkt to win. Lets see if that is true.
- sditulli

To me, Horny does more than grit... He plays a power forward game in front of the goalies and has pretty good tip in abilities. Ladd will command 5 mil+... That's way too rich for my liking.

Isn't that a contradiction. Hornqvist by definition doesn't bring much more than grit.

Ladd turned down 6/36. But his camp is saying he's willing to sign below mkt to win. Lets see if that is true.
- sditulli

He brought us 51 points this year for 4.25. He also got us 9 goals in the playoffs.

For what's worth, Veseys agent said they won't sign with Buffalo either... That still leaves a slim chance for the Pens...
- hipcheck_goalie

Where'd you hear that?

FWIW dream offseason for me would be resign Schultz, sign vesey, sign a 2nd tier lw like Boedker/Ladd.

Ladd/Boedker - Crosby - Hornqvist
Vesey - Malkin - ???
HBK
Kuhn - Fehr - Rust

Letang - Maata
dumoulin - Daley
Schultz - Cole
Pouliot

Would literally have 3 lines of offense.

5) Toronto did not inquire about Flower, they targeted Anderson first ^^^^
- Guile

MAF is too old for Toronto's plans. Andersen is perfect for them.

I don't think anyone outside the North has ever heard of a whitewalker. Stage 1 was retaking Winterfell for John so that he'd have his position to unite the North. (Are there any soldiers left in the North? Robb had 20k men. Ramsey had 6k Men (most dead now) John had wildings (most dead too)).
- sditulli

I think the North will fall in line, and I think Sansa will out smart LF next season, he has become so full of himself....I know he had a backdoor deal with the Lanisters, but I am pretty sure none of the Starks give an F about that. I wonder if Sansa is prego, with Ramsay telling her he will always be apart of her...that line stood out to me.

Even though Anderson is younger, since this is reasonably close to MAFs salary (who is a better goalie) at a longer term (5 years instead of the three left on MAFs contract) this tells you either:

(1) Fleury blocked a trade there (possible);
(2) Toronto and Pens could not agree on his value;
(3) Fleury does not want to move, and has waived his movement clause for the purposes of expansion. Therefore, JR did not offer him up when asked;
(4) JR already has a deal in place with someone else.

I think it's Number 3, myself.
- PensFan1962

I really don't think fleury will purposely try to make JR keep him in Pittsburgh. They'll have a discussion with what fleury wants and JR will try his best to get him somewhere he likes.

He brought us 51 points this year for 4.25. He also got us 9 goals in the playoffs.
- madmike71

That is my point there are more contributions than just speed. A guy like Ladd brings a lot of those qualities too. But also makes more controlled plays. Hornqvist as good as he is at what he does also kills a lot of possessions.

5) Toronto did not inquire about Flower, they targeted Anderson first ^^^^
- Guile

Why wouldn't they at least ask? He's 5 years older, but is better, especially after the year he just had in the regular season.

And if they didn't ask, this tells you the market is even smaller than MAF or his agent thinks.

Even more evidence that MAF is likely going nowhere.

Where'd you hear that?
- Victoro311

ray Ferraro tsn ... It's on the Sabres page too... They're not too happy.

Where'd you hear that?
- Victoro311

https://twitter.com/NICK_...status/745013466721849346

Even though Anderson is younger, since this is reasonably close to MAFs salary (who is a better goalie) at a longer term (5 years instead of the three left on MAFs contract) this tells you either:

(1) Fleury blocked a trade there (possible);
(2) Toronto and Pens could not agree on his value;
(3) Fleury does not want to move, and has waived his movement clause for the purposes of expansion. Therefore, JR did not offer him up when asked;
(4) JR already has a deal in place with someone else.

I think it's Number 3, myself.
- PensFan1962

You're over thinking everything. Say Toronto's rebuild is execrated now that they've got Matthews and maybe they can entice Stamkos. At best they'll need three years to grow together before they have enough chemistry and experience to seriously challenge for the cup. At that point Flower will be at the end of his contract and could be facing a dip in production due to age. Andersen is a much better fit for them.

And its not #3. Yohe has been reporting that Flower is indicating he wants to move on.

I don't think anyone outside the North has ever heard of a whitewalker. Stage 1 was retaking Winterfell for John so that he'd have his position to unite the North. (Are there any soldiers left in the North? Robb had 20k men. Ramsey had 6k Men (most dead now) John had wildings (most dead too)).
- sditulli

I think ultimately the bulk of the forces that will take on the White Walker army will be made up of Dothraki, Unsullied, Second Sons, Iron Born, and maybe even the Lannisters/Freys once they wake the (frank) up and realize who the true threat/enemy really is.

FWIW dream offseason for me would be resign Schultz, sign vesey, sign a 2nd tier lw like Boedker/Ladd.

Ladd/Boedker - Crosby - Hornqvist
Vesey - Malkin - ???
HBK
Kuhn - Fehr - Rust

Letang - Maata
dumoulin - Daley
Schultz - Cole
Pouliot

Would literally have 3 lines of offense.
- sditulli

Do you guys still fully expect HBK to be your 3rd line again next season? I know its not really a "3rd" line, they play more like a 1st line, but if Malkin stays(which i think he will) will he and Crosby still anchor separate lines from HBK?

I think ultimately the bulk of the forces that will take on the White Walker army will be made up of Dothraki, Unsullied, Second Sons, Iron Born, and maybe even the Lannisters/Freys once they wake the (frank) up and realize who the true threat/enemy really is.
- SimpleJack

And three dragons

Why would Ottawa have any interest in Fluery? To me, Calgary, Dallas, and Winnipeg are the only teams needing a goalie.
- hipcheck_goalie

Winnipeg has their own promising youngster who's probably just a tier shy of the Vasy/Gibson/Murray class. They shouldn't be in the market.